ZAT11, a zinc finger transcription factor, is a negative regulator of nickel ion tolerance in Arabidopsis

Key message ZAT11, a Zinc Finger of Arabidopsis Thaliana 11, is a dual-function transcriptional regulator that positively regulates primary root growth but negatively regulates Ni (2+) tolerance. Zinc Finger of Arabidopsis Thaliana 11 (ZAT11) is a C2H2-type zinc finger protein that has been reported to function as an active transcriptional repressor. However, the biological function of ZAT11 remains unknown. Here we show that GFP-tagged ZAT11 is targeted to the nucleus. Analysis of plants expressing ZAT11 promoter-GUS showed that ZAT11 is highly expressed in roots and particularly in root tips. To identify the biological function of ZAT11, we constructed three independent lines of ZAT11 overexpressing transgenic plant (ZAT11 OE). ZAT11 OE enhanced the elongation of primary root but reduced the metal tolerance against nickel ion (Ni2+). The reduced Ni2+ tolerance of ZAT11 OE was correlated with decreased accumulation of Ni2+ in plants. The decreased accumulation of Ni2+ in ZAT11 OE was caused by the reduced transcription of a vacuolar Ni2+ transporter gene. Taken together, our results suggest that ZAT11 is a dual function transcriptional regulator that positively regulates primary root growth but negatively regulates Ni2+ tolerance.